Mail box indicator system

ABSTRACT

A system for indicating a contents change and transmitting a related wireless signal, the signal including a movement detecting and signal transmitting member for mounting on or proximate to the object whose movement is to be detected, a signal receiving and alarm generating member for receiving a signal from the movement detecting and signal transmitting member and producing a response, a remote control for actuating and deactuating the signal receiving and transmission generating member, an environmental monitoring member for sensing an environmental condition inside the mailbox and providing a signal to the signal receiving member, a visual information gathering member for gathering visual information and location identifying data and providing a signal to the receiving and signal interpreting member, an output member for receiving a signal from the signal receiving and generating member and generating a selected output, and components for delivering an object movement data notification to remote recipients.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/957,468 filed on Jul. 3, 2013. The content of the application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an improved motion detector and alarm system for actuating an alarm device in response to movement of an object, and more particularly to a portable motion detector and alarm system which is easy to install and operate and is capable of detecting motion relative to a variety of predetermined positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problem of notification of mail in mailboxes is becoming increasingly important. Various prior art systems have been developed to address the problem and numerous examples exist of alarm or notification devices. One commonly used protective system involves wiring mailboxes in such a manner that an unauthorized opening of the door or window activates an electric circuit which in turn produces an alarm. Other examples are as follows.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,971 B1 (issued Aug. 8, 2006; assigned to John M. Cherry) is for a “Ground mail notification system.” The patent abstract states: “A mail sensor system that includes a sensor located in a mailbox that is sensitive to weight and which generates a signal when mail is placed in the mailbox. The system further includes a receiver located in a car that generates a signal upon receipt of a signal from the sensor in the mailbox. A companion sensor can be located in a house associated with the mailbox.”

In another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0118488 A1 (filed Nov. 7, 2005; assigned to Mr. Robert E. Bozzomo) is for a “Mail Delivery Notification Process.” The patent abstract states: “A mail delivery notification arrangement for maximizing the efficiency of notification and mail pick up on a regular basis. In this embodiment, the mail drop off location utilizes a bar code, RFID or other identifying and notification methods as input to the process. When a letter or package is received or placed at a mail drop off location, the unique identifier is read and recognized by the delivery process agent. The delivery process agent will log the date and time of delivery, quantity of items delivered, and types of items delivered (e.g. certified mail, registered mail, regular mail, overnight package). The data is then transferred by the delivery process to the system's database server(s) which notify the corresponding user of the mail or package drop off. The notification to the user can contain one or more of the following relevant attributes: date and time of receipt at the drop off location, types and number of items received, and sender's name and address. The process embodied in this invention will have a significant impact on productivity. People will no longer have to go to their mail location to check for mail. The notification system process will enable people to make the determination if and when to visit their mail drop off locations to retrieve incoming deliveries. Time and money will be saved. Fuel will be saved as a result of eliminating non-essential or unproductive trips to the mail drop off location as well as the ability to notify others to pick up delivery.”

In another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0040243 A1 (filed Aug. 8, 2006; assigned to David Yu Chang) is for a “Notification of Mail Deliveries in Remote Post Office Mailboxes.” The patent abstract states: “A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for mail notification. Physical mail is received in a mailbox. The physical mail includes an identifier indicating information about the physical mail. A presence of the physical mail is detected in the mailbox. The identifier is read in response to detecting the presence of the physical mail. A notification is sent to a mail recipient including the information in response to reading the identifier.”

There is a need for an effective mail detection and notification system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a system for detecting the movement of an object comprising: an object whose movement is to be detected, movable magnet means coupled to the object such that movement of the object results in movement of said movable magnet means, and means for detecting movement of the movable magnet means and providing an indication of the movement. The means for detecting is in communication with the movable magnet means.

The system further includes radiating means for wirelessly transmitting a predetermined signal in response to the indication of movement, the radiating means being coupled to the means for detecting. The object whose movement is to be detected may be coupled to the movable magnet means by a wire means which can also serve as the radiating means.

The system further includes means for receiving the predetermined signal, the means for receiving being separate from and located at a distance from the radiating means. The system preferably includes means for generating an alarm signal security response when the predetermined signal is received by the means for receiving. The alarm signal thus generated may be audible, visual or electronic and may include speakers, warning horns, lamps and the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of detecting movement of one or more objects comprising the steps of: a) coupling each object whose movement is to be detected to a corresponding movable magnet such that movement of any object results in movement of the corresponding magnet; b) detecting the motion of the corresponding magnet; c) transmitting a predetermined signal in response to the detected motion, and, d) receiving the predetermined signal at a distance from the object, or objects, whose motion is to be detected.

The method may include the further step of providing an alarm signal security response when the predetermined signal is received by the receiver means. The alarm signal may be audible, visible, or may be an electronic alarm signal which is transmitted to a remote alarm center via a telecommunications means such as a telephone line.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system that may be affixed to a wide variety of objects including inside doors, outside gates, garage doors, children's barriers such as “baby gates”, valuable wall hangings and paintings, and countless other objects.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system which is portable and is easily packed in a suitcase and transported with a traveler to be later installed on motel or hotel room doors, windows and/or any objects within the room, whenever additional protection is desired by the traveler.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system that provides movement information to a remote location, such as a law enforcement or security agency.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system wherein the movement information includes an indication of the distance that is moved for measuring purposes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system that provides object identification information either locally at or near the site of the object or remotely to a designated location such as a telephone number, email address, etc.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system wherein the object identification information is locally or remotely programmable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a movement detection and alarm system wherein the movable magnet means and the radiating means are part of a remotely controllable trigger unit having both a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for detecting movement that does not rely on wire means to detect the movement of an object.

The present invention relates to a portable security alarm system that can be installed on a temporary basis and removed from an object whose movement is to be detected comprising a motion detecting and radio signal-transmitting member, means for selectively coupling and decoupling said motion detecting and radio Signal-transmitting member relative to said object whose movement is to be detected, and a combined radio signal receiving and alarm generating member for receiving a signal from said combined motion detecting and radio signal transmitting member and producing an alarm. The alarm system also preferably includes a remote control member for selectively actuating and deactuating said combined radio signal receiving and alarm generating member. The alarm system also preferably includes an information gathering device for gathering movement information and a remote notification device for providing the movement information to a remote location. As an optional feature, the alarm system can be implemented such that the signal from the combined motion detecting and radio Signal-transmitting member includes an identification code that is used to provide object identification information either locally or to a remote location. Local or remote programmable means can be provided for selectively associating the object identification information with the identification code. As an additional optional feature, the combined motion detecting and radio Signal-transmitting member can be adapted to provide distance information representing a distance moved by an object whose movement is to be detected. The combined motion detecting and radio signal transmitting member can also include radio signal receiving means and control logic means to facilitate remote control of the device for polling or programming purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and the drawings in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,786,862; 7,506,796; and 7,061,377 all incorporated herein by reference. Understanding that these drawings depict not only typical pieces of entire embodiments of the invention and are, therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the essential components of a part of an embodiment of the novel mailbox alert system;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart and block diagram showing the interaction of the components of the novel invention wherein the interaction generates an alert to a postal mailbox owner or renter or entity having control of the subject mailbox;

FIG. 3 depicts operational chart no. 1 wherein the steps for operation of the novel system using the novel combination of components are each described; and

FIGS. 4A-E show an example device for detection and notification of mail.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made to the embodiment presented herein by using equivalent mechanical means without departing from the scope of the invention; and therefore, the invention is not to be limited to what is described in the specification and shown in the drawings, but only as indicated in the appended claims and their equivalents in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents and the construction of this “provisional” application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to the attached figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and they are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operation are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. The present invention is not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is if, X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.

The following detailed description is a general sample of the embodiments that may be constructed according to the present invention, as represented in the appended figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows, in pictorial block diagram form, the major components of the movement detecting device and alarm system 90 of the present invention. The system is comprised of at least one movement detecting and signal transmitting means 106 and 104, respectively, and including a retractable wire means. The system has handheld receiver means 106, a smart phone 26 (see FIG. 2) for example, and a remote controlled transmitter or transmitting means 104.

A plurality of movement detecting and signal transmitting means pairs may be utilized in implementing the system of the present invention. One movement detecting and signal transmitting means system 90 may be placed on opposite walls of a boxed receptacle the deposit of mail and the like into which the associated insertion movement it is desired to detect and transmit a signal in response to. For example, in a mailbox with four sides, open at the rear for inserting mail and a lockable door at the front, five movement detecting and signal transmitting means may be utilized for each wall comprising the mailbox. However, only one receiver means 106 is necessary regardless of the number of movement detecting and signal transmitting means 104 used. There is no limit to the number of movement detecting and signal transmitting means 104 that may be used with one receiver.

The invention is especially suited for clustered mailboxes where a single server or single antenna might services all mailboxes. As shown in FIG. 2, there is a bar code scanner device or camera 21. This scanner/camera 21 is a species of the camera device 102 used to read bar codes of mail and the like inserted into mailbox. Attached to the mailbox is a mailbox sensor 22 for detecting motion or insertion into the mailbox. Data from the sensor 22 and/or the scanner/camera 21 is directed to computer such as a server 24 programmed with apps or digital/electronic computer applications 25.

As shown in FIG. 2 each movement detecting and signal transmitting means 90 is coupled to a laptop/tablet 50, a PC/MAC 51, and/or the cellphone/smartphone 26. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means is a selected digital channel or frequency with a pre-selected power and range of transmission.

As shown in FIG. 1 a power supply 100 is necessary and may be a common battery or plurality of same fitted into an adapted housing.

Any displacement or movement in the mailbox will cause the RF transmitter 104 shown in FIG. 1 to be actuated and a signal to be generated. The bar code and scanner combination is a convenient and novel way to identify which mail box a specific RF signal should be assigned or attributed to.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown Operational Chart No. 1. This chart explains two methods of operation for the novel system:

In a preferred embodiment and method the sensors are deployed in individual mailboxes. A different or unique identification in the form of a bar code display is placed in each mailbox.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server (a computer adapted to receive wireless signals) receives the bar code signal at a time T-1. The sensors in the box send RF wireless signals to the server at time T-2 approximately the same as T-1. An application in the server notifies the renter or owner of a mailbox with the associated bar code of an event at T-2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server (a computer adapted to receive wireless signals) receives the bar code signal at a time T-1. The sensors in the box send RF wireless signals to the server at time T-2 approximately the same as T-1. An application in the server notifies the renter or owner of a mailbox with the associated bar code of an event at T-2.

In an implementation, sensors are placed in an object that receives mail, also referred to as a mailbox. The presence of an object may be determined by a sensor that can detect motion 22 or is a bar code scanner 21, and in other embodiments, camera 102 can include a sensor that can detect sound. In certain embodiments, the camera may further include without limitation a serial number and a hardcoded web address that will always point to registration of a customer account and/or corporate account. In certain embodiments, camera 102 may further include without limitation a circuit board; e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB); a communication port, for example USB and/or Micro-USB; power jack (AC/DC); remote antennae; retaining feature that allows the device to be fixed to a structure; a sensor to detect sound on top and bottom of the device, preferably an ultrasonic sensor; an on/off/reset button; one or more LED for indication purposes, for example, flashing red indicates battery is low and flashes green when camera is active; a slide cover to allow access to batteries; and flash memory for data storage and intermittent transmission.

In an embodiment, the sensors are connected to a camera 102 that is connected to an RF transmitter 104 and a RF receiver 106. The RF transmitter 104 and RF receiver 106 may be in connection with a wireless router and the signal may be sent as a data transmission package. The data transmission package may include without limitation a MAC address; an IP address generated by a server, a wireless router, or by other devices known in the art; data frequency; and power supply 100 level, for example a power supply level of a battery.

Upon receipt of an object in the mailbox, camera 102 transmits a signal to a server 24, that an object is present in the mailbox, and/or the bar code present on the object, and the signal may include a data transmission package. Server 24 may be a cloud server and further comprise a cloud server interface. A cloud server interface may comprise a customer database populated with customer name information, customer email address, customer phone number, customer user picked sensor name to help customer identify which camera 102 is being used if more than one camera 102 is operable, and unique identifier number for each customer camera 102. In certain embodiments, the camera may further include without limitation a serial number and a hardcoded web address that will always point to registration of a customer account and/or corporate account.

All data regarding the object in the mailbox may be recorded on server 24. The signal is then processed by the digital electronic applications 25. At least one of the digital electronic applications 25 is in connection with a customer database, and operative to deliver a signal to the customer by many options, for example, a portable computer option, laptop/tablet 50 may receive a mail alert upon delivery of the object, to a stationary option, PC/MAC 51 may receive a notification, and/or to a cellphone/smartphone 26 that may receive a notification. In a further embodiment, at least one of the digital applications is operative to send and process signals in intervals, sort signal data and/or store signal data on server 24. In certain embodiments, signal data can processed on demand by customer, sorted and stored.

Additional characteristics of the event may be programmed such that the server interprets the signal from the sensors and reports same to renter or owner.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-E, an example of a device is shown. FIG. 4A shows a front view of a device showing a power input port DC IN, a data input/output port USB DATA, and an antenna input/output port EXT ANT. One of ordinary skill will realize that alternate systems and/or protocols, including any form of digital communications, may be used for these ports apart from those explicitly shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. FIG. 4B shows a top view of a device. FIG. 4C shows a back view of a device showing a reset button RESET, a power button ON/OFF, and STATUS LEDS (light emitting diodes). The LEDS may show the status of data transfer, battery level, or any other status useful to a user or technician. The implementations of the present invention are not limited in this regard.

FIG. 4D shows a perspective view of a device. FIG. 4E shows a perspective view with the top cover removed to show the internal components. The components shown, in addition to the components visible external described above in reference to FIGS. 4A and 4C, include a rechargeable battery, a built in antenna, WiFi circuitry, and an ultrasonic transceiver (for detection of mail). One of ordinary skill will note that additional components may be included without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, camera circuitry may be included to capture images of detected mail.

All of the apparatus, methods and algorithms disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain components may be added to, combined with, or substituted for the components described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined. 

1. A portable mailbox indicator device for detecting the movement of an object in a mailbox, the device comprising: an inertial sensor configured to detect movement of an object; a wireless transmitter, coupled with said sensor, configured to transmit a predetermined signal indicating movement of said object and its location, wherein the sensor, when said movement is detected, causes a message to be transmitted by said wireless transmitter to a reception device configured to display a notification to a user.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said inertial sensor comprises an accelerometer sensor.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said wireless transmitter is a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter that includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a diaphragm.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said mailbox is provided by a plurality of interconnected walls with a front door and an opening for inserting objects.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said mailbox is a compartment comprising a rectangular unsealed enclosure.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein said mailbox is one of a plurality of mailboxes arranged in a cluster and wherein each of the plurality of mailboxes each include a device that are all connected to a single antenna for transmitting predetermined signals to at least one of a plurality of reception devices.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said predetermined signals are routed through a server that identifies, based on said predetermined signal, at least one of the plurality of reception devices to which to send said message to cause said notification to be displayed on said at least one of the plurality of reception devices.
 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a camera, coupled with said sensor, configured to capture one or more images of said object when said movement is detected, wherein said message includes said one or more images and said reception device displays at least one of said one or more images.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said inertial sensor further comprises a magnetic field sensor with mated elements on each opposite wall and adjusted to react to a change in magnetic field strength of one postcard or thicker.
 10. A method for detecting the movement of an object and providing information relative to said movement, said method comprising: detecting movement of an object by a sensor of a portable mailbox indicator device, said sensor comprising an inertial accelerometer sensor with a piezoelectric audio transducer construction that includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a diaphragm, said sensor further including a mass attached to said diaphragm; wirelessly transmitting, upon detection of said movement, a predetermined signal indicating movement of said object to a reception device, wherein said reception device displays a notification message based on said predetermined signal.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said mass is one of a quantity of adhesive, a quantity of solder, or a solid object bonded to said diaphragm.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: capturing one or more images, with a camera coupled with said sensor, wherein said predetermined signal is accompanied by a message comprising at least one of said one or more images captured with said camera, and wherein said reception device displays said at least one of said one or more images. 